Richard Gere has said he is the “happiest man in the universe” after marrying his third wife Alejandra Silva in April.

The Pretty Woman actor, 68, tied the knot with the Spanish activist, 35, in an Indian-inspired ceremony at Gere’s ranch outside of New York.

The couple arrived together at the ceremony in a tuk-tuk.

In an interview with Hello! magazine , Gere said: “I’m the happiest man in the universe.

“How could I not be? I’m married to a beautiful woman who is smart, sensitive, committed to helping people, who’s fun, patient, who knows how to forgive, who’s a great cook – and who makes the best salads in the world!

Thrice-married Richard has complimented his wife on her salad-making skills (Image: FilmMagic)

“Alejandra meditates, she’s a vegetarian, a great mother, has the touch of an angel and she’s also Spanish - the land of kings and queens, of Cervantes and Bunuel. You can’t get any better than that.”

The couple met after the Hollywood star stayed at a hotel Silva’s family owns in Positano in Italy in 2014.

Silva is an activist who runs a charity that aims to eradicate homelessness in Spain.

Her foundation hosted a screening of Gere’s film The Dinner in 2017.

The couple together in Madrid in December 2017 (Image: Getty Images Europe)

She revealed that Gere sent her flowers until she agreed to date him and he regularly writes songs for her.

Speaking about the first time they met, Silva said: “A friend introduced us, we looked at each other and felt a very strong connection.

“We couldn’t stop looking at each other all night, and since then we haven’t been apart.”